Fear of hypoglycemia in parents of young children with type 1 diabetes mellitus

J Clin Psychol Med Settings. 2008 Sep;15(3):252-9. doi: 10.1007/s10880-008-9123-x. Epub 2008 Jul 26.

Abstract

The current study examined fear of hypoglycemia in 81 mothers and 64 fathers of young children with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) using the Hypoglycemia Fear Survey-Parents of Young Children (HFS-P-YC possible range = 26-130). Mothers and fathers completed the HFS-P-YC at enrollment and mothers completed it 2 weeks later. Families recorded daily blood glucose on a standardized meter for 2 weeks. Mothers' mean total HFS-P-YC score was 75.0 (SD = 17.2) and fathers' mean score was 66.5 (SD = 18.0). Mothers reported greater HFS-P-YC total and behavior subscale scores than fathers. Mothers' HFS-P-YC scores were comparable to published HFS scores for mothers of preadolescents with T1DM and higher than adult patients with T1DM. The HFS-P-YC had good internal consistency and test-retest reliability in this sample. These findings suggest parents of young children with T1DM report a high level of fear of hypoglycemia. Additionally, the HFS-P-YC appears to be a reliable measure in this population.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Attitude to Health*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / psychology*
  • Fathers / psychology
  • Fear / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemia / complications
  • Hypoglycemia / psychology*
  • Male
  • Mothers / psychology
  • Parents / psychology*
  • Reproducibility of Results